Device for fixing folds in curtains and drapes

ABSTRACT

A device for fixing folds in curtains and drapes, by means of which the folds are retained at a retaining body which includes webs extending from the top toward the bottom; a fold of the curtain or drape inserted into a slot formed between two webs and open at the top and bottom is thereby elastically clampingly retained therein by projections at the webs which extend into the respective slots.

O Umted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,861,001

Pape Jan. 21, 1975 [54] DEVICE FOR FIXING FOLDS IN CURTAINS 2,542,077 2/1951 Gershen 16/872 AND R P 3,132,686 5/1964 Judovits...

3,223,148 12/1965 Potye [75] tor: Hermann n gg 3,417,807 12/1968 Falkenberg 160/348 Germany [73] Assignee: Gardisette Holding AG, Lucerne, Primary Examiner Donald A Griff-m Swltzerland Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Craig & Antonelli [22] Filed: June 4, 1973 [21] Appl. No; 366,581

[57] ABSTRACT F l t' P 't D ta [30] J g j y g on no y a 2227199 A device for fixing folds in curtains and drapes, by ermany means of which the folds are retained at a retaining body which includes webs extending from the top toi g g g ii ward the bottom; a fold of the curtain or drape in- [58] {60/345 serted into a slot formed between two webs and open 1e 1 CT 1 at the top and bottom is thereby elastically clampingly 16/87 5 93 retained therein by projections at the webs which extend into the respective slots.

[56] References Cited 9 D F UNITED STATES PATENTS l5 raw'ng gums 2,172,681 9/1939 Plaks 16/94 D 11 I I: g i E 5 5 I I 70 I: El E 51 I; 1 E I I: :1 0 l I:

5 1 E l, 1: 5 E I I i} I E 5 E 10 E PATEHTED M21 I875 SHEET 1 [1F 2 1 Fig.7

9 w 4 a :22 2: m a E 2 m Fig.3

PATENTED JANZ! I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 Fig.4

DEVICE FOR FIXING FOLDS IN CURTAINS AND DRAPES The present invention relates to a device for fixing folds in curtains and drapes, by means of which the folds are retained at a retaining body, on which are arranged webs extending from the top toward the bottom, whereby an inserted fold is elastically clampingly retained in the slot open at the top and bottom and formed between two webs.

Such a device is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,148, in which the slots are enlarged circularly shaped at their inner closed end so that the folds are retained at the base thereof by means of a retaining rod of circular cross section. The webs constructed as hollow bodies have to be so elastic that the circularly shaped retaining rods can be inserted from in front together with the double fabric layer. This again has as a consequence that with the same force effort, with which the curtain fabric has been forced into the slot together with the retaining rod, the same can again be pulled out of the slot. Furthermore, the relatively large width of the slot at its inner closed end requires also a correspondingly large spacing of individual adjacent slots 'so that the retaining body becomes altogether relatively large and unwieldy. This again leads to the fact that no narrow, compact folding can be undertaken with such a retaining body. For this reason with this prior art retaining body the folds are also tightly pulled over the retaining body between two slots whence the fold shape becomes very severe.

By reason of the slight safety of the fold-fixing there also exists the danger in this prior art construction that the retaining body becomes detached from the fabric during washing or cleaning of the drape.

A device for fixing folds in drapes is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,149,628 in which downwardly projecting claws are provided at a retaining ring adjustable in its diameter and to be guided on a cylindrical curtain rod. A single claw with forwardly projecting barbs is provided on the side coordinated to the backside of the drape whereas two finger-like claws extending parallel to one another and provided with rearwardly projecting barbs are provided at the side coordinated to the front side of the drape. The drape or curtain material is retained point-like by means of these claws. A fold which projects forwardly perpendicularly to the drape can be pulled out through the two forward finger-like claws. Furthermore, a simple T-fold can be retained by means of this prior art device. The disadvantage of this known device resides in that the formation of a so-called small head at the curtain or drape, i.e., the formation of a portion projecting upwardly beyond the retaining device is not possible at the drape or curtain. Furthermore, this known device is not suited to retain delicate curtain fabrics because by reason of the point-shaped retention at the barbs of the claws, a tearing of the fab ric has to be feared in the course of a load. Furthermore, only the two types of folds or pleats can be obtained with this known device. Additionally, the forward finger-like claws are visible with the formation of a forwardly projecting fold which is aesthetically disturbing.

A similar device for fixing folds in curtains and drapes is disclosed in the German Auslegesschrift 1,158,225 in which a fold set is retained between two fork-like arms which are connected with each other by several pins or a thread that extends through the fold set. The disadvantage of this prior art device again resides in that the formation of a so-called head is not possible. Furthermore, this known device is not suited 5 to retain more delicate curtain fabrics because, by reason of the point-shaped retention at the thread or at the pins, a tearing of the fabric has to be feared in case of a load. Furthermore, only folds which project perpendicularly forwardly out of the curtain or drape can be formed with this device. Finally, the entire device is dis posed on the visible side ofthe curtain which is aesthetically disturbing.

A suspension device for curtains or drapes is disclosed in the German Auslegesschrift 1,249,472 which consists of clamps with two legs elastic with respect to one another and open in the downward direction, between which the folded or non-folded upper rim of the curtain or drape is retained by punched-out tongues. Also in this case, the disadvantage occurs again that the formation of a head is not possible and that a portion of the device is arranged on the visible side of the curtain or drape. Furthermore, this device necessarily possesses a certain width which does not permit a close sliding together of the curtain or drape.

Finally, a folding clamp for curtain or drape folds is disclosed in the German Offenlegungsschrift 1,729,941 in which two identical foldclamps each provided with an opening and with a pin having barbs is extended from two sides through the curtain fabric forming the folds and in which the pins of the two clamps anchor each in the opening of the oppositely disposed clamp. Also in this prior art construction, all of the aforementioned disadvantages occur again.

Hook-shaped hangers in connection with devices for drapes are disclosed in the Swiss Patent 481,617 and German Offenlegungsschrift 1,960,850, whereby forkshaped prongs extending vertically upwardly are pro vided at the suspension device, which are inserted into the pockets of a support band provided for the fold formation in such a manner that the folds are formed thereby. 1

The German Gebrauchsmuster 1,973,065 teaches to sew a suspension device for the folds onto a web. Several bores for the fastening of a hook are provided at the retaining body formed thereby which are distributed over the length thereof.

Finally, it is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,686 to make a support band of synthetic plastic material which is relatively rigid. its edge areas are so strongly reduced in thickness that they can be sewed or glued to a curtain or drape. The curtain band is provided at predetermined places with webs which can be inserted into grooves of a corresponding retaining part so that folds are necessarily formed thereby.

The present invention is concerned with the task to so construct a device for fixing folds in curtains or drapes of the aforementioned type that together with a greater variation possibility in the manner of the arrangement of several folds at a given place of the curtain or drape, a reliable, safe retention and mounting support is achieved.

The underlying problems are solved according to the present invention in that projections extending into the respective slot are arranged at the webs. It is achieved thereby that the curtain or drape cannot again be pulled unintentionally in the forward direction out of the slot. By reason of the fact that a large number of such projections is customarily present, this type of the clamping is extraordinarily protective. Since furthermore adjacent slots can be arranged at a very small distance from one another, because the width of the slot only has to correspond to a double fabric layer, also a large number of folds can be combined at a place. Furthermore, with one and the same device, a large number of different fold patterns can be realized since with the arrangement of several slots in a retaining body not only several folds but also many different folds with different shape can be constructed, for example, by skipping over each second slot. The danger of a pointshaped tearing of the fabric no longer exists.

The projections are appropriately constructed tooth like and are advantageously arranged alternately overlapping one another. These projections are advantageously arranged within the area of the outer edge of the webs whereby the depth of the slot can be kept small and therewith simultaneously also the retaining body can again be kept small, which again favors especially the desire for unobstrusiveness of such a retaining body.

If the slots are arranged in the retaining body, mutually parallel and directed in the same direction, then a larger number of folds projecting perpendicularly out of the curtain or drape surface can be formed whose maximum number is limited by the number of slots in a retaining body whereby, however, a free choice for the number of folds between one single fold and the maximum possible number exists. In all cases the retaining body itself cannot be seen but is hidden behind the curtain or drape. In another advantageous embodiment, the slots are arranged ray-shaped in the retaining body. For purposes of forming a single or several T- folds, the slots are arranged in the retaining body pairwise in a single plane but extending in mutually opposite directions.

Furthermore, the retaining body may be provided within the area of its upper end with a slide roller, a slider, a hook or the like. Therebeyond, it may be provided with one or several bores distributed over its length for the fastening of a hook. As a result thereof, a height adjustment is possible within certain limits with the mounting of a curtain or drape at a vertically arranged rail as is customary, for example, in the U.S.A. A great advantage of the device according to the present invention resides in the fact that the retaining body can be molded in one piece of hard, elastic, thermoplastic synthetic material. As a result thereof, the retaining bodies become relatively inexpensive and can be made in any suitable colors and additionally may be provided already with marks, indicia or the like. Furthermore, a simple stacking in magazines is possible.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. I is a front elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of a device for fixing folds at curtains or drapes in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken along line III-III in FIG. 1, whereby a curtain fold is shown in this figure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, on a greatly enlarged scale FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a part of the device shown in FIG. 2, on a greatly enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a further embodiment of the present invention with a cylindrical retaining body and radially arranged slots;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5 provided with ray-shaped slots in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through a still-further modified embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention having a semi-cylindrical hollow body and radially arranged slots in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another modified embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention having parallelly extending slots in a rectangular retaining body. 7

Referring now to the drawing wherein like referenc numerals are used throughout the various views to designate like parts, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 consists of a one-piece elongated retaining body generally designated by reference numeral 1 and having an approximately rectangular cross section. A center web 3 projects forwardly from the relatively flat back portion 2 thereof; webs 4 again project from the center web 3 parallel to the back portion 2. A slot 5 which is open toward the top and bottom and toward the outside over its entire length is provided between two webs 4 each and between a web 4 and the back portion 2. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, two slots, i.e., a pair of slots are thereby arranged in a respective plane, whose longitudinal apertures are di rected in opposite directions. Two slot pairs are arranged parallel to one another whereby, however, it is also possible to provide three or more slot pairs or only a single pair of slots. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 1, the slots 5 are relatively long in relation to their depth. Tooth-like projections 6 are provided at the outer edges of the webs 4 and at the edges of the back portion 2 facing the associated slots 5, whereby the mutually opposite projections coordinated to a respective slot alternately overlap, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 5.

The back portion 2 is extended upwardly beyond the webs 4 and is provided thereat with a bore 7 in the center longitudinal axis of the back portion 2, which bore is connected with an inclined outwardly and downwardly extending notch 8 whose width is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore 7. Since the entire retaining body 1 is molded in one piece of thennoplastic, hard elastic material, a conventional one-piece slide roller 9 can be pressed into the bore 7 in a conventional manner by way of the slot 8 and is retained thereat elastically. The fastening at a curtain or drape rail is possible thereby. The back portion may also be so constructed that a slider of known construction is provided at its upper end which is molded integrally therewith, i.e., in one-piece therewith.

A number of bores 10 may be provided in the back part 2 at a distance from one another which extend over the entire height thereof; these bores 10 extend appropriately through the center web 3. Hooks may be suspended or inserted into these bores 3, by means of which a fastening of the retaining body 1 and therewith of the folded curtain or of the folded drape at a curtain or drape rail mounted at a wall is possible at different heights.

The fastening of a curtain fold in a slot takes place in the manner that the curtainor drape-side fold is forced, for example, by means of a flat sheet metal member, into the slot 5 by expanding the associated web or webs 4. This is facilitated in that the webs 4 or the tooth-like projections 6 are provided at the outwardly disposed side with camming abutment surfaces 1 1 inclined toward the interior of the slot. The surfaces 12 of the tooth-like projections 6 disposed toward the interior of the slot are also inclined in the direction toward the interior of the slot so that a pulling out of the clamped fold is precluded. In order to prevent a damaging of the fabric, the tooth-like projections 6 are slightly bevelled off at their front edge 13. In FIG. 3 is illustrated how in a retaining body 1 a curtain 14 with a double T-fold 15 is clamped in the slots 5. For example, with a slot length of 50 mm., a slot depth of about 4 mm. and a slot width of 1 mm. and a corresponding web width of also 1 mm, also relatively heavy curtains can be retained safely.

The retaining body 1 remains completely fast at a curtain also during the washing of the latter so that a renewing of the folds after the washing is not necessary. Furthermore, with a predetermined length of the curtain or drape fabric and with a predetermined length of the completely folded curtain or of the drape provided with folds, any corresponding required adaptation can be realized by a completely free choice of the distance of the individual retaining bodies and therewith of the individual fold pairs and by a free choice of the length of the individual folds. Due to the relatively flat construction of the webs 4 and the elasticity thereof, a damage-free removal of the curtain is possible after a corresponding bending-open of the webs even though this is normally not necessary after an initial laying of the folds and adaptation.

In the embodiments according to FIGS. 6 to 8, a different configuration of the individual folds at a given place is possible by the radial arrangement of the slots 5 (FIG. 6) or the ray-shaped arrangement of the slots 5 (FIG. 7) on cylindrical, rectangular or semicylindrical retaining bodies. Also in these embodiments, the webs are appropriately provided with toothlike projections not shown in the drawing. In the embodiment according to FIG. 9, the slots 5 extend parallel to one another so that folds projecting forwardly perpendicularly out of the curtain are formed.

The devices according to the present invention may be provided at the backside thereof, for example, with T-shaped grooves (not shown in the drawing), by way of which they can be mounted over a corresponding T- shaped rail. This can be used for the purpose to carry out length-controls during the manufacture. Furthermore, a shipment safety feature can be created thereby by means of which is prevented that the curtain or drape becomes wrinkled during the shipment. Of course, also other suspension systems, other than hooks, may be mounted in the bores.

The webs may, of course, also be interrupted in the longitudinal direction which, however, is not appropriate as a rule. It is decisive that a sufficient clamping length is available in order that, on the one hand, a sufficient mechanical retention is achieved and, on the other, a good folding is attained by a sufficient length of the clamping of the fold.

While I have shown and described several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: 1. A device for fixing folds in curtains and drapes comprising a retaining body, said retaining body including web means for forming at least one slot between two portions of said web means, said web means extending between respective opposite ends of said retaining body, said slot being open at said respective opposite ends and open outwardly between said two portions of said web means, wherein a fold inserted into the slot is elastically clampingly retained therein, and

projection means for projecting into a respective slot, said projection means being provided at said web means, wherein said projection means are constructed tooth-like, and wherein said projection means projecting respectively from said two portions of said web means into said slot are arranged alternately overlapping one another.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection means are arranged within the area of the outer edge of the web means.

3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the slots are arranged ray-shaped within the retaining body.

4. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the slots are arranged in the retaining body respectively pair-wise in a plane and extend in mutually opposite directions.

5. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining body consists of a one piece molded, hard elastic thermoplastic synthetic resinous material.

6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that the slots are relatively long in relation to their depth.

7. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the tooth-like projection means have contact surfaces inclined toward the inside of the slot at the side of said projection means disposed toward the outside of said retaining body.

8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tooth-like projection means have a surface oriented toward the inside of the slot, said surface being inclined toward the inside of the slot.

9. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tooth-like projection means are slightly truncated at the end of the projecting tooth-like projection.

10. A device for fixing folds in curtains and drapes comprising a retaining body, said retaining body including web means for forming at least one slot between two portions of said web means, said web means extending between respective opposite ends of said retaining body, said slot being open at said respective opposite ends and open outwardly between that the slots are arranged ray-shaped within the retaining body.

13. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the slots are arranged in the retaining body respectively pair-wise in a plane and extend in mutually opposite directions.

14. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the retaining body consists of a one-piece molded, hard elastic thermoplastic synthetic resinous material.

15. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the slots are relatively long in relation to their depth. 

1. A device for fixing folds in curtains and drapes comprising a retaining body, said retaining body including web means for forming at least one slot between two portions of said web means, said web means extending between respective opposite ends of said retaining body, said slot being open at said respective opposite ends and open outwardly between said two portions of said web means, wherein a fold inserted into the slot is elastically clampingly retained therein, and projection means for projecting into a respective slot, said projection means being provided at said web means, wherein said projection means are constructed tooth-like, and wherein said projection means projecting respectively from said two portions of said web means into said slot are arranged alternately overlapping one another.
 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection means are arranged within the area of the outer edge of the web means.
 3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the slots are arranged ray-shaped within the retaining body.
 4. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the slots are arranged in the retaining body respectively pair-wise in a plane and extend in mutually opposite directions.
 5. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining body consists of a one-piece molded, hard elastic thermoplastic synthetic resinous material.
 6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that the slots are relatively long in relation to their depth.
 7. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the tooth-like projection means have contact surfaces inclined toward the inside of the slot at the side of said projection means disposed toward the outside of said retaining body.
 8. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tooth-like projection means have a surface oriented toward the inside of the slot, said surface being inclined toward the inside of the slot.
 9. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tooth-like projection means are slightly truncated at the end of the projecting tooth-like projection.
 10. A device for fixing folds in curtains and drapes comprising a retaining body, said retaining body including web means for forming at least one slot between two portions of said web means, said web means extending between respective opposite ends of said retaining body, said slot being open at said respective opposite ends and open outwardly between said two portions of said web means, wherein a fold inserted into the slot is elastically clampingly retained therein, and projection means for projecting into a respective slot, said projection means being provided at said web means, wherein said projection means projecting respectively from said two portions of said web means into said slot are arranged alternately overlapping one another.
 11. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the projection means are arranged within the area of the outer edge of the web means.
 12. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the slots are arranged ray-shaped within the retaining body.
 13. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the slots are arranged in the retaining body respectively pair-wise in a plane and extend in mutually opposite directions.
 14. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the retaining body consists of a one-piece molded, hard elastic thermoplastic synthetic resinous material.
 15. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the slots are relatively long in relation to their depth. 